The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Nasarawa ACN mobilises for elections

    Nasarawa ACN mobilises for elections

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has begun mobilisation for the forth-coming locxal government elections in the state.

    The chairman of the party, Mr. Bashir Jabiru, said the party will achieve victory at the poll because it has credible candidates.

    He told our correspondent that the mobilisation of the people of the state is on course, adding that majority are rooting for power shift.

    Jabiru, a lawyer, explained that, with the teeming supporters of the party in the 13 local councils and 16 development areas, the party would win gallantly during the elections.

    He said the aggrieved party loyalists who have left for the fold have retraced their steps because of the confidence they have in the current party structure under his leadership.

    Jabiru added: “If you go to all the local governments now, you will feel our impact there. Not only that, party secretariats are all over the places and the state secretariat would soon be inaugurated by the Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator George Akume. So, we are fully prepared for the local government elections. We are waiting for the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) to make the announcement.

    “We are ready to bring development to the grassroots in the state and that is why we are working tirelessly to improve the living standard of our people. The party have set standard in the Southwest region and we are trying to bring such development to other regions”.

  • Gombe postpones council poll

    Gombe postpones council poll

    Gombe State has postponed the local government elections indefinitely.

    The chairman of Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC), Mr. Caleb Maina, told party leaders that the polls were postponed due to situations beyond the commission’s control.

    The party leaders have converged on the office of the agency for a meeting. The date, guidelines and nomination forms for the election were slated for discussion at the meeting.

    Maina explained that the postponement became necessary because of complaints that certain politicians who claimed to be leaders of some political parties were not recognised by their national headquarters and state offices.

    He said: “We received complaints from members of some political class that most of those claiming to be leaders of their political parties are not recognised by their national headquarters and even in the state.”

    Besides, GOSIEC, according to Maina, does not have the official list of the political parties that have been deregistered. He said the postponement would allow the commission to seperate the wheat from the chaff.

    He added: ”The commission, therefore, decided to postpone the election indefinitely to enable us verify and rectify the problem because we intend to print the names and logos of only registered political parties on the ballot papers”.

    Speaking on behalf of other political parties, the state chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Audu Kwami, urged the commission to obtain the comprehensive list of leaders of the various registered political parties in the state to avoid future conflict over leadership claims.

    At the meeting were leaders of the Accord Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), CPC, Labour Party (LP) and KOWA Party.

  • PDP is afraid of ACN/CPC merger

    PDP is afraid of ACN/CPC merger

    Senator Domingo Obende represents Edo North District in the Senate. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain spoke with Musa Odoshimokhe on the ACN/CPC merger and other isues.

    The Senate in 2012 was vibrant. What should Nigerians expect from the Upper Chamber this year?

    I agree that 2012 was vibrant and every lawmaker was actually involved in whatever we achieved. The reason for the vibrancy was informed by the challenges. As a lawmaker, you should understand what the challenges of this country are. It is only when you have a grasp of this that you will explore avenues of resolving them. This is what we have been doing in the Senate. I believe that the reason for the vibrancy has to do with the fact that I was able to identify problems, even before I became a Senator.

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other parties are involved in merger talks. Do you think this will work?

    I believe it is going to work because we are committed to its workability. This is certainly going to succeed because our hopes are high. We would not be distracted by the comments of these people whose past-time is politics of mudslinging. They are agents of provocation and they are scared. They are afraid of the merger. They are worried because they least expect us to be going this far. It is what Nigerians want, they are eager for a change and our union will definitely give Nigerians a new lease of life. We are at the stage of picking a new name and when that is done, there may be fusion. With the new union, we are going to battle the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The people are really in high spirits and my party leadership is fully committed to this auspicious relationship. The country has suffered a lot and the people have bled so much. We are going to set agenda for the country and put it back on course. The rudderless direction the country has wandered will end and the people would see a progressive Nigeria when the changes happen. We are concerned about the country. This is the only country we have and we must rescue it from the chagrin of docile party that is short of what to do for the people. Our party and those we are discussing with have the capacity to effect these changes, which the people so urgently desire. I can assure you that we are leaving no stone unturned to achieve this. The talks have advanced and the commitment is equally very high and, by the special grace of God, we are going to win.

    The Petroleum Industry Bill has generated controversy. What is the way out?

    There is no bill that is sectionalised than the Petroleum Industry Bill. There is no bill brought to the House that will not be deliberated upon and the general interest and the objectives of such bills are the focal points of the deliberations. No narrow interest or sectional interest is entertained when we discuss issues that affect the country. Nigeria is bigger than any individual or any section of the country and the interest of the country is germane to the national survival. This is what provides the lead to every discussion or deliberation that takes place at the House. There is no bill that will be passed without public hearing. Basically, nobody sectionalising any bill. If people have issues, of course, we look at term and make a rationale conclusion. The PIB is very important to the industry and I don’t see any problem in treating it on its merits and serving the purpose for which it is meant to advance. The PIB is in the overall interest of the country and it will surely be done without sentiment.

    How are you relating with your constituency?

    Edo North people are exceptionally law abiding people. They should expect more development laws that will be in their interest and the over interest of Edo State. To whom much is given, much is expected. The people of Edo North Senatorial District are being carried along and we have ensured that they are not relegated in the scheme of things in this country. My party is a progressive party and it has touched the lives the people. The government in Edo has made tremendous progress. The people of my state are out of Egypt. The promise land is in sight. I am very confident that Governor Adams Oshiomhole will lead them there. The ACN has pointed the way forward; it has brought to the fore the essence of government. The basic necessities of life are within reach and that is the spirit behind a progressive government of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

  • APGA will be restructured, says party scribe

    APGA will be restructured, says party scribe

    All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Deputy National Chairman Dickson Ogu has said that the party will wax stronger and compete for power at the centre in the next general elections.

    He disclosed that the party’ Board of Trustees (BoT) will be inaugurated and charged with the duty of restructuring the party.

    Ogu, who spoke with reporters in Umuahia, Abia State capital, expressed optimism that a formidable APGA would emerge from the restructuring before March this year.

    He said: “We are hoping that this restructuring will end as soon as possible. We are expecting that we will soon be in Abuja to inaugurate our new BOT as stipulated by the APGA constitution and entrust the BoT members with the responsibility of bringing the restructuring to an end.

    “The new BoT will put in place other structures of the party hierarchy. I am promising you that before March, you will see a new APGA that will give our party new direction”.

    Ogu recalled that members had passed a resolution endorsing the restructuring, assuring that it will be implemented. .

    He said that the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, spearheaded the restructuring last year when he wrote to the National Working Committee (NWC) to express dissatisfaction the rot in the party.

    He said Governor Peter Obi later supported the agenda, which he said, would move the party forward.

    Ogu said that the essence of restructuring was to democratise the party, stressing that those opposed to the move were undemocratic elements. He expressed the hope that APGA at the national and state levels would emerge from the restructuring stronger and compete for federal power in the future.

     

  • COSEG: Jonathan has marginalised Southwest

    COSEG: Jonathan has marginalised Southwest

    A pan-Yoruba organisation, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups (COSEG), has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan has marginalised the Southwest in the distribution of federal appointments.

    The group said the President has refused to fulfil his electoral promises to the zone, despite its support for him during the last election. COSEG also called on the Southwest governors to rebuild the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, instead of allowing the President to rebuild the palace.

    The group said in a statement by its chairman, Mr. Dayo Ogunlana, and secretary, Mr. Rasak Olokoba, that the palace is the heritage of the Yoruba nation.

    COSEG described the overtures by President Goodluck Jonathan, who had promised tto rebuild the palace, as a Greek gift. The group said the statement did not translate to any presidential affection for the marginalised race.

    The group said it was curious that the President who had allegedly “sidelined, marginalized and shortchanged” Yoruba in federal appointments, has turned around to appease the race with the unusual gesture.

    COSEG emphasised that President Jonathan has failed to fulfil his electoral promises to the Southwest states, despite their overwhelming support for him at the 2011 poll.

    The group maintained that the task of rebuilding the palace is the duty of the Southwest governors, urging them to rise to the occasion.

    COSEG added: “The palace is the custodian of our collective ancestral heritage which need to be protected. It is not the duty of any outsider, no matter how powerful or highly placed in the society, to usurp our God-given responsibilities.”

     

  • ‘Merger ‘ll guarantee development’

    ‘Merger ‘ll guarantee development’

    A  chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Prince Khalid Olabisi, has said that the proposed merger involving the ACN, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) will guarantee speedy development. He said the merger is not only aimed at wresting power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , but to ultimately make the country attain the much-needed greatness.

    Prince Olabisi said the achievements recorded by governors in the states controlled by the parties have shown that, if they form the government at the centre, genuine development would be replicated in every part of the country.

    He lamented that the PDP had failed to give the country genuine leadership capable of resolving the present socio-economic and political quandary.

    Olabisi, who was the House of Representatives candidate for Saki West and East Federal Constituency on the platform of the ACN in the 2011 general elections, said that the beauty of democracy is realisable only when those elected by the people become conscious of the need to give the electorate effective and selfless representation.

    He blamed the PDP government for not harnessing the great resources available in the country to improve the well-being of the people. He stated that the level of poverty in the land is as a result of the incompetent leadership fostered on the people by the PDP led government at the centre.

    Olabisi noted that poverty and unemployment have become more pronounced among the people because the government has not made any genuine efforts to empower the masses to become self-reliant or employers of labour.

    “Unemployment and poverty have continued to take a toll on Nigerians. This raises a critical need for the Federal Government to take record of unemployed Nigerians and immediately develop a road map for the employment of some and empowerment of others,” he said.

    On power, he said the current 4,500MW of electricity being generated and distributed is inadequate for a country of 150 million people. “As electricity is one of the infrastructural facilities that are catalysts for national development, the Federal Government should continue to deliver on its promise of steady and sustainable electricity supply to all Nigerians.”

    He maintained that “power has a multiplying effect on the economy. With availability of electricity, most people would become self-employed. Artisans would contribute to the growth of the economy. This, invariably, will reduce the level of criminality in the society. The power sector should be improved in order to enhance small-scale businesses.

    “Wealthy Nigerians who have stashed funds in foreign banks should repatriate such funds for the purpose of investing them in Nigeria in order to create employment opportunities,” he urged.

  • ‘I regret not being President’

    ‘I regret not being President’

    Former Secretary to the Federal Military Government and Finance Minister Chief Olu Falae spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on national issues.

     

    It was alleged that ballot papers were sighted in the house of an Afenifere leader in Akure, ahead of the recent governorship election in Ondo State. There are three Afenifere leaders in Akure, namely Pa Falae, Pa Fasoranti and Pa Adegbonmire. What really happened?

    The name, Afenifere, is synonymous with integrity, honesty and good leadership. When you now link that precious name to dishonesty, criminality and the devil, we leave it to God as He deems fit. Pa Fasoranti is a role model in the whole of this area. He is an exemplary gentleman; a grandfather and a man of civilised values. For anybody to link his name to something that is not honourable is stupendous unbelievable. The same for Chief Adegbonmire. Although we are not in the same party now, but I can vouch for him. He is a man of integrity, outspoken and honest. He will never be associated with anything that is wrong or evil. Speaking for myself, when was running for the Presidency, when I was fighting for nomination on the platform of SDP in 1991/92, I designed a pamphlet for training my agents throughout Nigeria and I stated in that pamphlet that, don’t rig for me because I don’t want to rule by fraud, but please, don’t let other people rig you out. That is my philosophy. So, how can I be assisting somebody to rule by force. We have standard of morality. We have responsibilities as leaders in the society. We have duties as committed Christians to ensure that the high standard is sustained in whatever we do. The rumour must have come to the devil himself.

    Do you regret not being President of Nigeria?

    To the extent that Nigeria is suffering today, yes. Not to the extent that Olu Falae did not occupy the position. As Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, I exercised presidential powers by leave of my President. I exercised presidential powers without bearing the name President. There is nothing exciting personally about me becoming President, except to assume higher responsibilities. My intention was to work for Nigeria because I had a blueprint, 326 pages long, to guide my activities in government. I had a position on every sector of the economy; industry, agriculture, health, transportation, defense. it took me two years of discussions, seminars and research to define my position in every sector. That was to guide me in office. I am not saying that was all I was going to do. I knew I would flesh it up and make modifications as time goes on. But I was clear in my mind where I wanted to take Nigeria to. To the extent that Nigerians were denied that opportunity to be led by a purposeful administration with a clear vision, I feel sorry that all of us, including myself, were unfortunate to have missed that opportunity.

    People said if you had joined the PDP, they would have made you the presidential candidate and they would not have presented Obasanjo for the role. What is your reaction?

    So I had. Indeed, there were leaders of the PDP who came to me and said I should come to run for the Presidency on the platform of the PDP. Our former governor here, Dr. Agagu, and others came to me. When I was marking my 60th birthday on September 21, 1998, soon after I came out of detention, the leaders of PDP in all the states of the Federation published an advertorial page to congratulate me on my birthday and to literarily say this is the man we have been waiting for. That was in the public domain. But I did not join the party because I am an Afenifere man and Afenifere is a philosophy of governance, a philosophy which put man and his wellbeing at the focal point of government endeavours. Government exists solely to promote the welfare of individuals from cradle to grave. That is the philosophy which i have imbibed. Therefore, I could not have left my Afenifere Group and go alone to become a President somewhere else. That would be meaningless. That was one answer to that question.

    It soon became clear that the serving military rulers have made up their mind that a military man should succeed them. I want to say something for the first time in public. When I left detention, in June 1998, I went abroad for medical check up. While there, a very prominent Nigerian who was then serving in Europe, at the Hague, a friend of mine who had served with me in Babangida’s government called me in London and said I should see Obasanjo on my return to Nigeria. He said Obasanjo who had just come to spend some time with him had just returned to Nigeria and that he said he was going to support me to become the President. He said Obasanjo said I worked with me and said many good things about me. He advised me to go and see him on returning home to consolidate the support. Before I returned to Nigeria, some delegations led by military people had gone to meet Obasanjo to persuade him to come and take over in the interest of the military.

    So, if I had gone to the PDP, I don’t think that would have stopped them from doing what they did. May be at the beginning, they all wanted me. The leaders of the PDP were my friends who had worked me, either in the civil service or banking industry, who knew me and trusted me that, by the grace of God, I would perform as a de-tribalised and I don’t discriminate. I think there was a struggle within the PDP between the civilians and military. The military won the upper hand and went and brought Obasanjo. That was what happened. But O believe the destiny of man is in the hand of God. What will be will be.

    Your group has been advocating for a Sovereign National Conference. When will that conference come?

    Let me clarify our position. There are people should continue to show the light, tell people what the ideal is. It is left for the members of the society to try to move to that ideal. If a Sovereign National Conference is not achievable, we let people know that it is necessary. We can in the meantime go for amendment as they are trying to do now in Abuja. Amendment may make a bad constitution a little bit better. A legitimate constitution is not less legitimate by amendment, but may be a little more workable. The bone of contention is the power of the federal government to dictate to the states on how to share the revenue between the states and local government. That kind of monstrosity can be removed. But let there be no illusion. We still do n ot have a legitimate constitution by amending the illegitimate one. So, we accept pragmatically that what is bad can be made better, but the ultimate constitution for Nigeria must be written by Nigerians and approved by Nigerians. This one was not made by us, it was not approved by us. After all, during the colonial period when there was no constitution, the whites were ruling us. We did not commit suicide. We accepted it.

     

  • What will Nigeria celebrate at 100?

    What will Nigeria celebrate at 100?

    Nigeria will be 100 years on January 1, 2014. The Federal Government is proposing a centenary celebration. However, opinion is divided on the relevance of the celebration in a country that has failed to resolve the fundamental issues germane to nation-building and peaceful co-existence. AUGUSTINE AVWODE and JEREMIAH OKE report.

     

    ON January 1, next year, the Federal Government will roll out the drums to celebrate Nigeria’s 100 years of existence. It is a milestone. Thus, President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a 19-man Planning Committee under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim to fashion out a programme commemorating the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by the colonial governor, Lord Frederick Lugard.

    In his letter to the Senate, President Jonathan said the committee had articulated a framework for the celebrations, which had already been presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and governors at the National Economic Council for their input.

    The letter reads in part: “You may wish to recall that on the 1st of January 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria were formally amalgamated into one country. This implies that the 1st of January, 2014 marks one hundred years of our union as a nation. Notwithstanding our challenges, it is considered that this is a significant anniversary deserving of celebration by the citizens and government of Nigeria.

    “It is against this background that I constituted a 19-member planning committee for the centenary celebrations, under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “The purpose of this letter is to request a convenient date for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to receive a full briefing on the proposed programme for the centenary celebrations, so that your input will also be accommodated in the framework.”

    The Committee had actually moved a step ahead before Anyim appeared before the senators. On January 14, Anyim had unveiled the programme at a private sector stakeholders’ engagement forum, where he outlined major aspects of the celebration. These include the centenary torch lighting, unveiling of the centenary logo, launching of the centenary official portal, and the presentation of the centenary documentary by President Jonathan. Also, the Abuja Centenary City is being proposed for the Federal Capital Territory.

    Anyim said the president will also flag off the 100 centenary projects and introduce the company that wins the exclusive right to the centenary project.

    However, it appears many Nigerians are not enthusiastic about the celebration. In the Senate, the lawmakers made it clear that government could go ahead, provided it would not commit public funds into it. Senate President David Mark emphasized that his understanding of Anyim’s presentation was that the federal government would not finance the programmes.

    “Government is not committing a dime to the centenary celebration; that is my understanding, so far. Government has no commitment at all, except for the land in exchange for the swoop, whatever the arrangement is. Truly then, we have no reason for this briefing. Where do we participate and how do we come in?

    “It is entirely a private sector commercial exercise or business. If the idea is just to keep us abreast of what government is doing then, there is no need for question and answer or further discussion.

    Mark was quick to point out that he was still not comfortable because of the possibility the government coming back to be involved one way or another in the financing. He pointed to the plan to mobilise youths across the country for the purpose and wondered who would pay them.

    “But my worry is let it not appear that somewhere along the line we have been committed and then there is financial involvement”, he said.

    Mark’s concern was more with who picks the bill, but Nigerians are evaluating the convoluted trajectory the country has gone through in the last 99 years, than painting the town red. While acknowledging the fact that 100 years in the life of a man, or any institution is a major landmark, they argue that the challenges confronting the country have limited the enthusiasm.

    Former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife, who dissected the country, wondered whether people were being prepared to celebrate success or failure of nationhood.

    “No doubt, 100 years is a landmark in the life of any nation. But have we really earned our economic independence? Or are we just shouting independence? Are we really a country, united in purpose and vision , or we are a gathering of people who are managing to tolerate one another just for the sake of living together? What we should do, really, is to sit down and evaluate our journey so far with the aim of making up for our failures as a country and as a nation. It is certainly not a time for the celebration of the mere existence of a country,” he said.

    Former President-General of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof Kimse Okoko, agreed with this submission. He queried the proposed celebration, stressing that the 1914 amalgamation is the bedrock of Nigeria’s problems, including ethnic antagonism, insecurity, infrastructural decay, and lopsided federalism.

    “The 1914 amalgamation has been detrimental to some of the ethnic nationalities. It was a forced amalgamation that is largely responsible for the problems confronting Nigeria now. The antagonism that we frequently experience among the various ethnic nationalities is as a result of the forced amalgamation. Our priority today is how we can evolve a united country. We are at a crossroads; the security situation is in a mess and it has been difficult to forge a truly unified country.

    “We should concentrate our efforts in forging a united country where all segments are truly respected and where their aspirations can be met. And the only way to do this is to restructure the country along the lines of true federalism. That is the only route to realizing our potential as a country. True federalism, and, that is what we should pursue than celebrating what has been the cause of our problems”, Okoko insisted.

    Veteran unionist Chief Frank Kokori threw his weight behind the Senate. He cautioned against extravagant spending of public funds on such a project, adding that there are many things that the federal government should consider, rather than celebrating centenary of the amalgamation in elaborate way.

    “Though the Senate did not totally condemn the proposal, because a hundred years is worth celebrating, but it has to be checked to avoid the frivolous spending of our money. But we are all happy to hear that the project will be sponsored by the private sector or individuals. However, there is no way government will not spend a little; it should spend judiciously and wisely”, he added.

    A member of House of Representatives, Mr. Abiodun Awoleye (Ibadan North Constituency) said he supported the project, if public fund is not committed to it.

    “They can go ahead, if it will not involve spending the people’s money because it is a good development. I agree with them that it is worth celebrating but, personally, my fear is that there is no way such a project will be done without the government being part of those to fund it.

    “Though we have challenges of insecurity across the country, celebrating it could also bring back the primary objective of the amalgamation, which was to forge one, big united and strong country out of the regions. But it will be disastrous, if they use public money ”, Awoleye said.

    Eminent politician Alhaji Balarabe Musa disagreed with the concept. He said Nigerians are not happy with the situation in the country, adding that another jamboree will multiply their woes. The former governor of Kaduna State said the celebration may promote corruption in government.

    “Normally, I would have supported the celebration, but not in elaborate way, in spite of the situation in the country, because a hundred years is not a joke in the history of the nation. But this government is corrupt and they are looking for every means to squander our resources.

    “Obviously, there are problems, but we are still one nation and no country of the world is crisis-free. So, it worths celebration.But in this context, I don’t think it is advisable to celebrate it because this government is corrupt and I am sure they will abuse it. That abuse should not be supported by a rightful thinking person.

    “When they say they will not use government money to sponsor it, government’s money will be committed to the project. The private sector they are talking about, how was it created? They were created for corruption and they use them for corruption. They plan to celebrate it for their own ego and pocket, nothing else. So, let us condemn it because we can use public money for better things”, he added.

     

     

     

  • ‘True federalism is the answer’

    ‘True federalism is the answer’

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan spoke with Correspondent BISI OLANIYI on the agitation for true federalism, state police, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crises and other issues.

    There is war in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). What is the way out of the crisis?

    There is no war in PDP. As a governor of a PDP state, as the leader of the party in my state, and a leader of the party at the national level, by virtue of being a member of the National Executive Council (NEC), I tell you that there is no war in PDP.

    Yes, there are challenges in the party and these are challenges that are common in every big party like the PDP. There was never a time the governors decided to move against the national chairman of PDP. Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is an elderstatesman. We have a lot of respect for him. What you call the war in PDP is simply imaginary. It is not real. Whatever is being put in the media is being done by certain persons in Abuja.

    What is your position on the constitution review and contentious isusues like the state police and power generation, transmission and distribution?

    I am a strong advocate of state police. Security is too important to be played with. States across the country have been doing so much to empower the police. Power generation, transmission and distribution are still being controlled by the Federal Government, through the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. Some states are generating power, but there are challenges in the areas of transmission and distribution. My position on the constitution review is that this is the time to entrench true federalism in the country. There is no point paying lip service to it. Only true federalism will allow the component parts of the country to develop at their own pace. It will allow you to control power, security, resources and a lot of things.

    Are you comfortable with the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly?

    We not only have polluted air in the Niger Delta, the soil is so badly destroyed that nothing can grow on it again. As for the rivers, they are so badly polluted that all the fishes in them are now dead.

    People should be sympathetic with what is happening in the Niger Delta, because of the environmental damage. They can no longer farm or fish, as a result of pollution and environmental degradation.

    The ten per cent to the host communities, as stated in the PIB, is not too much. I would have preferred 50 per cent, to address the developmental challenges. There are communities all over the world that have such funds, which sometimes are put in trust, that are managed locally or internationally. If the crude oil is in other parts of this country, the debate will not be on. Other people should show understanding.

    What if the PIB does not scale through legislative approval?

    I do not want to think about that. I am just praying it goes through.

    Do you believe in death penalty for kidnappers?

    As a person, I do not believe in death penalty for kidnappers. No crime has been solved by the death penalty. Death penalty leads to more desperation. Notable people have been unnecessarily killed and the evidence brought to the court, sometimes, is not accurate and innocent people are sentenced to death. We have the right to life. The public execution in Nigeria has not stopped armed robbery.

    Kidnapping is a big challenge to us. It has become an easier criminal activity than armed robbery. It is a bit of migration from armed robbery to kidnapping. There is no dividing line between the two. For me, a kidnapper is an armed robber. Instead of stealing money, he is stealing human beings and forcing people to negotiate. It is another form of armed robbery.

    We are dealing with kidnapping, first by strengthening our security agencies. Secondly, we are ensuring that our intelligence network is greatly improved upon. We are using various bodies for that. We are using vigilantes, traditional rulers, religious leaders and some of our youths. Intelligence is very key in this regard.

    The case in Delta State is a little more complex than it appears. Apart from the economic reason, it has a political undertone. At a time, the focus was on government appointees and their relatives, persons that are close to the governor. But notwithstanding, we are making progress.

    The case of the mother of the Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, about two months ago was a sore point indeed. But since then, things have been more on the quiet side. What has actually assisted us in tackling kidnapping is the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles (Okadas) in our major cities. Commercial motorcycles are major tools the kidnappers were using. Once we succeeded in banning motorcycles in some of our major cities, those cities have been quiet. We are moving to other areas, where we still have pockets of kidnapping. Even the Boko Haram suicide bombers have been using motorcycles.

    How was your experience like during the kidnap of the mother of Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala?

    The truth is that every human being is important. Every human being kidnapped is a big challenge. Of course, there are still some human beings that give more challenges, if anything happens to them. Her own was more challenging, first, she is from the royal family – the queen of a community. Then, she is the wife of a prominent traditional ruler in the state.

    It is not just about the minister, but about the fact that the kidnappers went inside the palace to take a queen. It was very challenging.

    When will your administration’s power plant be ready?

    From the port in Port Harcourt, we have brought by road, the turbines to where we are building the power plant. The turbines are not more than six kilometres to the site. We still have the challenge of moving them to the site. By the end of this year, the power plant will be ready.

    We still have the challenge of transmission. The Federal Government is still totally in charge of transmission of power. Our hope is that when we start generating power, the people of Delta State should be the beneficiaries, rather than just take it to the national grid.

    How far have you gone with your administration’s “Delta Without Oil” initiative?

    We started with “Delta Without Oil”, but it is now “Delta Beyond Oil.” It simply means an economic agenda developing other areas of the economy, different from oil and gas, but using the current funds coming from oil and gas to develop such other areas of the economy, especially in the areas of agriculture and solid minerals. In terms of agriculture, we have our emphasis on the value chain of agriculture, by being able to encourage our farmers at the local level to produce so much. First, to feed ourselves. It is very important that we are able to feed ourselves and then we produce extra for economic gain.

    A typical cassava farmer is able to produce enough during the year to feed his family and will simply produce more that he can sell. When they are encouraged to produce so much and they do not have anything to do with the excess that they produce, they will be discouraged. When they produce so much, the price will drop.

    When we are talking of the value chain, we are talking of a situation where the farmer produces cassava and there is a system that ensures that for the fact that he produces it, it is taken off and processed. That is where the issue of processing comes in. We have a value chain from the farmer to the processing and packaging. We are encouraging the peasant farmers and large investors that will bring in cassava processing machines. I just used cassava as an example.

    One thing about agriculture is that it can employ massively and it can ensure that we do not go hungry. A society that is not hungry will be peaceful. If you are hungry, you are angry. If you are angry, you tend to be violent. A society whose people are able to feed themselves tends to be more peaceful, than when people are not able to feed themselves. We are placing emphasis on agriculture.

    We are using the economic agenda, believing that crude oil is a commodity that is very volatile. We are not sure of the price of oil at any particular time and will affect the state and national economies. It can also finish with time and we may not have the oil again. What happens? That is why, we, as a state, we put in place the economic agenda. So that in the future, with or without oil, we can survive. I am glad that all over now, in Nigeria, everybody is talking of Nigeria beyond oil.

  • ACN flays PDP over attack on al-Makura

    ACN flays PDP over attack on al-Makura

    A Nasarawa State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has decried the statement credited to the People Democratic Party (PDP) that the state is witnessing communal crisis for the first time. ACn said PDP was being mischievous, adding that its leaders lacked understanding of the situation in the state.

    ACN chairman Alhaji Bashir Moh Jabiru said in a statement that PDP was deliberately inciting the people against the government.

    He recalled that Nasarawa South Senatorial District engulfed in crisis during Abdullahi Administration.

    Jabiru said that the former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Socuial Development Maimuna Katai was killed during the crisis.

    He added: The 2001 crisis also led to the murder of a third class paramount ruler of Azazi, Alhaji Musa Ibrahim. This traditional ruler was even slaughtered and his head was taken away. PDP was in power then. In fact, Tiv people were thrown out of Nasarawa South to Benue State because many of them were killed and their houses burnt. Benue State was saddled with problems of refugee.

    “Then, we opposition, because I’ve been in this party since 1998 when it was AD, did not say communities were up in arms against one another”.